Despite its European title, American stars dominated the MTV awards ceremony last night.

Big name British nominees like Keane and Robbie Williams went away empty-handed.

Kanye was not impressed at losing out in the best video category

Those left flying the flag for the British music industry were veterans Depeche Mode for Best Group and Devon trio Muse for Best Alternative Act.

Justin Timberlake, who hosted the awards and is in Copenhagen with his Hollywood star girlfriend Cameron Diaz, won Best Male as well as Best Pop Act. He beat Kanye West and Robbie Williams to the Male category.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers had been nominated for four awards but only took away one prize for Best Album.

Las Vegas band The Killers won the Rock category, beating the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Strokes. Arctic Monkeys lost out in the Best UK and Ireland category, which was won by The Kooks.

Caribbean-born talent Rihanna took the R&B prize and Gnarls Barkley won best Song for Crazy as well as a second award for the Best New Band of the year.

Kanye West won best Hip-Hop, beating the likes of Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.

But he was livid when he did not win the Best Video gong for Touch The Sky and went on stage to tell fans that the decision was wrong.

The MTV Europe Music Awards event at the Bella Centre featured performances from Keane, Justin, P Diddy, Nelly Furtado, Snoop Dogg, The Killers and Muse.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s alter-ego Borat, who hosted the awards last year, introduced the event by handing over to Timberlake and making a joke at Madonna’s decision to adopt.

Electropop veterans Depeche Mode said after receiving their award: “It’s been a great year. It’s quite nice after 25 years to win the Best Group award.”

New Bond star Daniel Craig announced the award for Best Female, but Christina Aguilera was not there to accept and instead sent over a video message of thanks.

The show also featured an X-rated conversation piece between Snoop Dogg and Justin rapped in swearwords.

Kanye West said on receiving his award: “It’s amazing to be recognised so far away from America.” But he said of the decision not to give him best Video: “Best video should have been mine. I should have won.”